Section 6

Help Wanted!

Self-Assessment

I completed the assessment at http://www.careerinfonet.org/skills/default.aspx

Initially I chose to do the Skills Profile to see what jobs matched my skill set. Apparently I think very highly of myself because the scores were off the chart and it couldn't find a job that suited my skills! So then I chose the profession I'm aspiring to enter (Librarian) and found that I matched 33 of 38 skills required (suggested) for that career. Many of the skills I wouldn't have if it weren't for graduate school, so it definitely confirmed for me that the courses I'm in are properly preparing me for my future career! If that doesn't work out, though...there's always meter reading!

Professional Organizations

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)

Mission: To facilitate humane learning through the systematic development, utilization, and management of learning resources, which include people, processes, and media in educational settings.

Cost of membership: New regular membership is $125

Publications: Educational Technology Research & Development, TechTrends

Conferences & meetings: AECT 2012 International Convention (Learning in the Age of Globalization), 2012 Research Symposia

Professional development: Opportunities listed here

Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education

Mission: Advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application.

Cost of membership: Professional membership=$125, Student membership=$45

Publications: Listed here

Conferences & Meetings: Global Time, SITE 2012, EdMedia, E-Learn

American Society of Training and Development (ASTD)

Mission: Empower professionals to develop knowledge & skills successfully.

Cost of membership: $199 per year

Publications: Too many to list! Find them here

Conferences & Meetings: ASTD 2012 International Conference, Telling Ain't Training, Learning Transfer, Learn Now, among others listed here

Professional development: Opportunities listed here

Professional Publications

American Educational Research Journal

Focus/Goal: The American Educational Research Association (AERA), a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

Submission guidelines: Guidelines for contributions are outlined here

Is the journal peer reviewed? Yes

Is the journal online? Yes

Educational Technology Publications

Focus/Goal: Publishes articles interpreting research and practical applications of scientific knowledge in education and training environments

Submission Guidelines: Located here

Is the journal peer reviewed? No

Is the journal online? No

I was familiar with AECT, but very few of the other ones. The organizations and publications are both really useful in staying apprised of the latest and greatest technologies & concepts in the field of instructional design and educational technology so I can stay up-to-date, relevant, and marketable.

Competencies

My 4th edition of the textbook does not have the same list of competencies as the other edition, so once again, I had to do some separate research on my own. I came across this list from the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction. I highlighted the standards that I felt were the most relevant or important in showing mastery in the field of instructional design.